Make A Move Monday and Hammock Tracks Interview!

This Monday I want to invite you to join me over at Hammock Tracks. Savannah is a wife, mother of four and blogger who writes about food, homeschooling, and the animals they raise, hunt and track!   I had the honor of being interviewed for the weekly feature "Who Home Schools?"  I was humbled to be asked! 

 
It is also time for Make A Move Monday!  What move are you making toward health in your home? Please read through the rules for those participating, and thanks for your participation.

1) No linking to giveaways or promotions for affiliates or sponsors. Give aways and promos are great, but they expire. I will delete giveaway links or promotional links.
2) Keep things simple and healthy. Avoid recipes with "cream of x soup," processed cheese or corn syrup. Crafts are cool, but unless they help organize or simplify please don't link them.
3) Link back to SimplyMadeHome.This is common blog party courtesy. It also helps build the community of encouragement. Check out other’s posts and leave a comment! It is fun to hear from others.
How to link up to your post? Read below.
Using the Mr. Linky, link back to your specific post, not just your blog.
Example of Format
Your Name: Tara @ SimplyMadeHome (Simple Vinegar Switches)
Your Link: http://simplymadehome.blogspot.com/2012/03/simple-vinegar-switches.html

Homeschooling: The Plan

We have talked about why we homeschool, where we homeschool, and the books we use.  Now it is time for our homeschool plan.  I have already said that I was very worried about the year and worked hard on my plan.  A huge part of that was how to keep a 3 ½ year old boy busy (constructively!) and keeping my priorities in place in the midst of an ever growing “to-do” list. 

  The first thing I did was sit the kids down for a heart to heart.  (Actually first I fed their little faces, and then we talked.  I have a better chance of getting their attention and less of a chance of getting interrupted if their mouths are full!) I told them that mommy is excited about starting school with them.  I also told them all the things that we are going to learn together, but that mommy is going to be very busy this year being a 2^nd grade teacher, Kindergarten teacher, preschool teacher and mommy all at the same time.  I enlisted their help.  I explained to the older two that they would be preschool teachers too since they had completed preschool and knew everything about it already.  They were excited to help, but my daughter really wishes that I was an octopus with 8 arms and could do everything myself.  J  The older two have a designated time to play or “teach preschool” while I work with the other student.

The nex t thing I did was create 4 boxes for preschool, a box for each day of school.  Each box has different activities, puzzles and a simple activity or sticker book.  I didn’t buy new toys for him, but simply divided up what we already had so that each day looks a little different (and hopefully interesting).   I have not done a formal preschool with the older two.  All of the activities are playful.  Some have learning attached, and some are just for the imagination. A list of some of the activities we use are at the bottom of the post! 

Lastly I put together a schedule of sorts.  We have too many variables (little people) to have a rigid time schedule, but we love routine at our house.  My husband says that this is all my fault that they are such lovers of routine.  I say it is 65/35.  I will take more of the blame, just not all of it!  Our schedule does not always unfold as planned, but that is ok.  We are all pretty good at rolling with it.  There were a few things that I considered when I put together the order of our days. 

·         What subjects can be tackled independently?

·         What subjects can we do all together?

·         Who needs their cup filled with my attention first?

·         When will the older two welcome a break from school work and be happy to play preschool?

I will include a copy of our schedule for the curious!

Daily Routine
Breakfast
Devos and Prayer
Morning Chores
School
	2nd Grade	Kindergarten	Preschool
	Bible, Hymn and Verse
	Math and Spelling	Handwriting and Game	Workbook and Game
	20 minutes with Little Bro	Phonics, Reading and Math	20 minutes with Big Brother
	Language and History	20 minutes with Little Bro	20 minutes with Big Sis
	Science or Hands-on project
Play
Lunch
Read Aloud
	2nd Grade	Kindergarten	Preschool
	Reading	Quiet time	Nap
	Art and Music	Reading and Puzzles	Nap

 

You will notice an absence of a plan for my littlest one.  I noticed that on the first day too.  I am still working on that!

 

 

Activities for Preschoolers! (Some of these activities are special because we only get them out during school time.  Others are special to my 3 year old just because big brother is willing to sit and play with him!)

·         Farm

·         Playmobile

 

·         Play-doh

·         Markers

·         Magnetos

 

·         Legos

·         Duplos

·         Rice Box (On a day that I plan to vacuum!)

·         Paints

·         Beads and yarn or pipe cleaners

·         Busy Bugs

·         Cuisenaire Rods with Alphabet book from MFW


This post is linked to We Are That Family, Raising Arrows, True Aim, Raising Homemakers

Homeschooling: The Books

While I have never timed it, I am sure that it takes less than 5 minutes before the question of curriculum comes up in a conversation between two new homeschool moms.  Is it a polite question or the constant illusion of the perfect curriculum?  We all want to know what others are using.  Maybe this curiosity surfaces because there are just so many choices out there! 

We began using My Father’s World for our oldest son for Kindergarten.   It was a perfect fit for him.  We have continued using this because it has worked so well for him, and it has followed his interests well.  This year MFW 2^nd grade started the first week studying the Vikings.  That made me a very cool mom!  My Father’s World covers science, Bible, history, geography, art and music. 

We started using Math-U-See last year and are continuing on with it this year.  I have also been working with him on flash cards and math facts.  The strength of Math-U-See is giving the student an understanding of the math concepts.  That is very important, but I think my son also benefits greatly from the additional focus on memorization. 

I was shocked to learn that our district does not have requirements for spelling until 3^rd grade.  I felt that my second grader could benefit from starting this year.  We are using Learning to Spell Through Copywork.  It provides a great phonics review for him, but the book had a girl with a princess dress on the front.  Clearly he had to rip that off before the book was usable. 

I started using Abeka for Language this year.  My reasoning was my own.  I was introduced to Abeka curriculum in 6^th grade and even as a student knew it was great.  I was behind my peers who had been using it for years.  Abeka’s books are also very colorful which works to my sons advantage.  I learned early on that he is distracted by black and white workbooks and starts to color in the pictures with his pencil instead of working.  He works more diligently with full color workbooks.  If I can give him the advantage I will.

My Father’s World has been a great fit for my son, but it was not going to be a good starting place for my Kindergarten daughter.  She is at a much different place than my son did 2 years ago.  Since I had a high opinion of Abeka and was already ordering for my son I ordered her handwriting, phonics and math from there.  (I know it seems like there should have been a much better reason than to save on shipping, but what can I say?)  I already had Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading from a past failed attempt with my son.  Since she and he are opposites, I opted to try it with her.  (Again my logic is astounding!)  Time will tell if we stick with it.  It is not her favorite; she requests to do it first to get it over with.  I need to figure out why she doesn’t like it before I switch it on her.  We will continue unless it becomes a huge battle or I find something better. 

 

We are using the library to the fullest this year, and everyone is around for our read aloud time.  We all learned about the Vikings through a historical fiction book together, and we have enjoyed learning about Pocahontas and Squanto, the American Indians, through biographies.  Not everyone catches the same information, but we are all learning to together (myself included sometimes!).  I imagine that we will need a break from our main books from time to time, and I plan on doing a couple of weeks of topical unit studies.  I have pinned a few ideas from http://www.homeschoolshare.com/.

Curriculum choices can be overwhelming.  I think that my son was almost 3 when I was first handed a large catalog called the Rainbow Resource Catalog.  The large book contained too many options, and I never really read it.  A few years later Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 Picks was recommended, and I found it much more manageable.  It was a place to start.  Homeschooling wouldn’t have seemed half so scary if it didn’t seem that I needed to learn a whole new language in this whole new world.  This book breaks down learning styles and educational philosophies so that they are simple and understandable.  I found the exercises in the book to be very helpful.  My husband filled it out as well.  It was great to guide our conversations about our goals and plans for our children’s education. 

Each year I have to remind myself that there is no perfect curriculum.  I am not sure what I will be using in a couple of years.  I am happy with the way that things are going this year.  What curriculums out there do you love?  I would love to be introduced to the pros and cons for future reference!

 

A few other resources we have enjoyed!

    

This post is linked up at Raising Arrows, Raising Homemakers, We Are That Family

 and Mamal Diane

Homeschooling: The Space

 

We began homeschooling our oldest son timidly at the kitchen table with a crate of books and a laptop.  After the first year went well we decided that this “homeschool thing” was working for our family and we needed to dive into it with a little more solidity.  We revamped our dining room/front room to create an area for the kids and I to learn and play.  I am thankful both for the space and a husband who was willing to let this part of our lives take over even the setup of our home.

 Our beloved dining room table has been abused as our homeschool table.  An old TV armoire serves as a cabinet for Legos, games, coloring books, pencils and more.  My two older kids each have a drawer to keep art projects out of the view of the younger two.  We bought book cases from Costco that came with large fabric storage boxes for toys and books.  Then we split up our living room furniture so tha t there was a soft place to sit and read and play. 

Learning and school does not stay on this half of our house.  It spreads to the kitchen table, the floor, the back yard and let’s not forget the van.  Much to our children’s dismay we do not have a DVD player, and the kids are subject to questions such as “Can anyone tell me what direction we are heading?” or, “If yesterday the temperature was 0 and today it is -10, which day is warmer?”  Iowa winters are great for math.  J

I wanted to up the field trips this year since I don’t have a nursing baby!  We have had a membership to a local living historical museum and will be going a couple more times in September before our membership runs out.  We have field trips planned to the zoo, historical building, the woods, an apple orchard and pumpkin patch, and state capitol.  We are hoping to take in a few of the plays available in our city.

I am so thankful for the space we have in our home for school and so thankful for a town with so many wonderful learning opportunities.  We are looking forward to a year of learning in so many different contexts! 

 

This post is linked up at We are that Family, Heavenly Homemakers and Raising Homemakers

What Our Homeschool Looks Like

This year I began my 3^rd year (what?!) of homeschooling and added a second official pupil.  I have wrestled with a great deal of fears and concerns, but we are about to begin week 4, and by God’s grace it is going relatively well.   We prefer an earlier August start and then are finished earlier in May.  We also enjoy a 4 “book day” school week and one day for extra classes and field trips. 

This week I will begin a series of posts about our homeschool year.  People who are curious about homeschooling are typically in two camps 1) Homeschooling is a foreign concept, and they don’t know how anyone would go about it or 2) They are homeschooling themselves and looking for ideas.  I have been in both camps at different times and am willing to let others look at our journey as we learn together.   We will look at the following:

The Space: Where we homeschool (learning is everywhere!) and where we keep the homeschool stuff.

The Books: What we are using for curriculum this year.

The Plan: How I map out our days and weeks.

The Reality: A day in the life-Our day never doesn’t always go as planned.  We’ll see what it looks like when the rubber meets the road.

 Do you have any burning homeschool questions?  I will do my best to address them (as a pilgrim, not a sage!)  I am looking forward to this series, and I hope that you enjoy it too! 

This post is linked at Raising Arrows, We are that Family, Homestead Revival, and Mamal Diane

School Year Prep

I have been laser focused on school the past week or two.  I wish that I could say that after all of this sorting and reading and planning and organizing I was confident and ready for the start of this school year.  The scissors and glue have been organized into little labeled boxes, and I typed out a schedule that we will probably try to use twice before it blows up in my face and I learn for the millionth time to go with the flow. 

I am more nervous than I remember being in the past.  In other years I was worried that I would not be able to teach the material in a way that my son could learn it.  For some reason that isn't on my list of worries this year.  This time I am concerned about our family dynamics as we a new pupil.
This year our family has a 2nd grader, Kindergartner, a 3 year old and a 19 month old.  The Kindergartner is ready and ripe for learning.  It will be fun to watch her grow and learn, but pulling her out to work on phonics and other skills will change life for my 3 year old.  She is his best playmate.  He is left to play with the baby.  His interactions with the baby usually consists of torturing her.  The days are about to get interesting.  My 2nd grader is great and will do what is asked of him, but if I am not right there keep him going on the next thing he sneaks off to find Legos or some craft/building project.  He has totally caught on to the fact that if he is busy and quiet he can put off school work.  This is the puzzle I am trying to put together this year. 
I wonder if I can be a good teacher and a good mom at the same time.  How can I explain borrowing from the 10s column while keeping the little ones busy?  Even as I type that it makes me sad.  Aren't I supposed to be doing something more with them than simply "keeping them busy"?  Can I keep a mindset that I am called to train them not just entertain them?  Can I make learning a joy for all of us instead of just a list books, subjects and worksheets that are to be completed? Is there a way that we can learn together or is that just a nice idea that you read about? 
With all these questions and worries I am left in one of two places.  Either I am left alone with my thoughts and fears and drive myself crazy or I fall to my knees begging God to give me wisdom.  I know that I am in over my head.  The tasks is too large, and I am too human.  I think that is why God gives me big tasks sometimes-to keep me completely dependant on Him.  My school prep begins in the book of Proverbs this year.  Seeking the wisdom of God and an understanding that only He can give. 

Proverbs 1:2-7

² for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

doing what is right and just and fair;

⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]

knowledge and discretion to the young—

⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance—

⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.^[b]

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools^[c] despise wisdom and instruction

Reading to the Big Kids: Continuing the Gift of Literature

I loved being read to as a child.  I can look back and remember many of the book my mom and teachers read to me.  It is no surprise that I now love reading to my kids.  I love when the little ones know a book so well that they can fill in the words.   I love when their picture books have a sing-song cadence to them as they become familiar to us all. 

We often think of reading to children as being necessary for children before they can read, but let’s not forget the benefits of reading to an older child well after they can read themselves.  It feeds their minds and souls .  Reading together further establishes our relationship with them.  (If you aren’t convinced check out these articles on  the benefits from Steady Mom and Montessori For Everyone.)  Reading out loud to children models  a powerful message: Mom believes that reading is a valid form of entertainment, an effective way to communicate ideas and a great way to learn.

Even as I am concentrating on getting my budding readers off to a great start with their own reading I continue to read to them.  In true “Tara fashion” I made a list of books to make sure that I read to my son this year for school.  I would encourage any mother-no matter which educational option your family chooses-to think back to your favorite book from childhood and relive it with your child this summer.

My 4^th grade teacher Mrs. Allbee read us The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and I remember our whole class loving the book.  I wondered if it might be a little too much for my 1^st grader, but reading it together was one of the highlights of the last year.  At one point he interrupted me and exclaimed “Mom!  I think Edmond is talking to the White Witch!”  It was a great moment and a fun experience for us both.  I am so glad that we got to share it

Good books are full of ideas.  They inspire imagination, creativity and spark conversations.  Books can shape values, moral and character.  What parent does not want to take part in that?

Chances are you too remember a childhood favorite, and you will enjoy reading it to your children too.  Take the time this summer and try it., after a meal, before bed, on vacation or just the next time you hear “I am board; can I watch TV?” 

Great Book Ideas:

The Boxcar Children

Charlotte’s Web

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain

Where the Red Fern Grows

The Loin the Witch and the Wardrobe

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Ramona books

The Indian in the Cupboard

The Little House in the Big Woods

This post is linked up at We are that Family, Mamal Diane and Raising Arrows.